NM Legislature Redistricting 2011

Sen. Mary Jane Garcia: Redistricting Process Entails More Than Meets the Eye

October 11, 2011 by Democracy for N...

This guest blog is by State Senator Mary Jane Garcia (D-Dona Ana-36), Senate Majority Whip of the NM Senate, and former member of the 2011 Interim Redistricting Committee. 

Many constituents that I represent have raised their concern that nothing was done during the recent redistricting session, and I believe they deserve a response.

This year's redistricting legislative session was expensive, contentious and has caused much disappointment to many New Mexicans—there is no denying that. I and my Senate colleagues understand the frustration that the public has with the outcome of the session, especially when our constituents wonder why it took nineteen days to develop redistricting legislation that was ultimately vetoed by Governor Martinez.

Bright Spot In NM Special Session: Jobs Bill Signed Into Law

October 6, 2011 by Democracy for N...

Yesterday, Governor Susanna Martinez signed Senate Bill 1 into law, the In-State Preference bill sponsored by Senator Tim Keller (D-Bernalillo-17) in the recent special legislative session.  SB-1 was a true bright spot in the recent special session, and is expected to create thousands of new jobs in New Mexico.

Senator Keller and co-sponsor Rep. Larry Larranaga (R-Bernalillo-27) worked with the business community, the Governor’s Office and the Senate Jobs Task Force convened by Majority Floor Leader Senator Michael S. Sanchez (D-Valencia-29), to produce the legislation signed yesterday.

“The enactment of the In-State Preference bill is a shining example of how government should work for the mutual benefit of the people of New Mexico. SB-1 will now create over 3,000 jobs in our state and is the result of nearly two years of bi-partisan collaboration on the part of business stakeholders, the governors’ office and the legislature.”

NM Senate Dems Urge Gov. Susana Martinez To Fund Drug Treatment Center

September 23, 2011 by Democracy for N...

Just another example of GOP Gov. Susana Martinez putting politics before the pressing needs of New Mexicans? With the growing problem of meth, other illegal substances, and the re-emergence of heroin abuse -- especially among teenagers -- NM Senate Democrats say they are troubled that Governor Martinez did not include funding for a substance abuse treatment center in her list of capital outlay projects. "It's hard to understand the Governor's rationale for not considering this a statewide priority. The drug abuse problem will not get better until we get serious about fighting it," said Senate Majority Leader Michael S. Sanchez (D-Valencia-29) in a written statement.

Report on Energized MoveOn and NM Unions Rally for Jobs, Not Cuts in Santa Fe 9/17

September 23, 2011 by Democracy for N...

This is a report from the field by Elizabeth Cook-Romero one of the citizen activists of MoveOn New Mexico. The group is involved in helping to coordinate a series of demonstrations in New Mexico advocating citizen action to help Rebuild the Dream.

NAACP, LULAC Denounce Gov. Susana Martinez's Extremist Allies on Driver's License Issue and Discriminatory Anti-Immigrant Agenda

September 22, 2011 by Democracy for N...

NM Governor Susana Martinez

In a joint press release issued today, New Mexico's chapters of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) said they are concerned and appalled by the involvement of the Americans for Legal immigration PAC (ALIPAC) in New Mexico politics, as well as Governor Susana Martinez's continued attacks on immigrants and her apparent abuse of power.